Colored smoke module for cigarette

ABSTRACT

A colored smoke module is disclosed that is mountable to at least a portion of a cigarette or other smoking device. The colored smoke module produces colored smoke when burned. Further, the colored smoke module is user mountable to a cigarette or other smoking device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/106,530, “COLORED SMOKE MODULE FOR CIGARETTE,”filed on Apr. 8, 2005, which application is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people around the world smoke cigarettes, cigars, nargillas(hookahs), pipes, and other smoking devices. As discussed in co-pendingapplication “Cigarette with Colored Smoke,” smoking devices that producecolored smoke could, for example, allow people to communicate somethingabout either the smoking device being smoked or the person smoking thesmoking device.

Cigarettes that are purchased with a pre-determined color of smoke thatcannot be changed by individual smokers do not allow a user to vary thecolor of smoke produced. Also, due to limits on available shelf space instores, such cigarettes may provide only a limited number of coloroptions. Further, different smokers who want different colors of smokecould not share cigarettes from the same pack. Additionally, smokers maywant to change color of smoke from cigarette to cigarette just forvariety.

One object of the present invention is to utilize colored smoke modulesthat allow individual users to select and/or vary the color of smokeproduced by cigarettes and/or other smoking devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A colored smoke module for a cigarette or other smoking device,substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at leastone of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention,as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be morefully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a colored smoke module systemformed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a colored smoke module systemformed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a colored smoke module systemformed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a colored smoke module system10. The colored smoke module system 10 includes a cigarette 12 and acolored smoke module 18. The cigarette 12 includes an inhalation portion14 and a combustion portion 16. To smoke the cigarette 12, a smokerlights the end of the combustion portion 16 and draws smoke through theinhalation portion 14. The combustion portion 16 may include tobaccopreformed as a rod with or without additives surrounded by a wrappingpaper, while the inhalation portion 14 may include a filter to removepotentially harmful materials from the smoke being inhaled by thesmoker.

The colored smoke module 18 includes a sleeve 20 and an indicator 22.The sleeve 20 is designed to fit on to the combustion portion 16 bybeing slid over the combustion portion 16. The opening of the sleeve 20is sized to be large enough to allow it to be either slid on or off thecombustion portion 16 while still being small enough to remain in placewhen on the combustion portion 16. The sleeve 20 may be constructed bydispersing a colored smoke producing material along a paper that issimilar to the wrapping paper surrounding the combustion portion 16.

The indicator 22, shown as an “x” in FIG. 1, is a mark made on thesleeve 20. The indicator 22 provides a visual indication of the color ofsmoke produced by the sleeve 20. Alternatively, the indicator may be acolor covering part or all of the sleeve 20. Also as an alternative, thecolored smoke module 18 could use a removably mounted indicator, such asa tag that could be torn off before the sleeve 20 is mounted to thecigarette 12.

As an additional alternative, the indicator 22 may provide a visualindication of something other than the color of smoke produced by thesleeve 20 when burned. For example, the color of smoke produced may becommunicatively significant, that is, it may be used to communicatesomething about the cigarette itself or the person smoking thecigarette. (For examples, see co-pending application “Cigarette withColored Smoke,” Ser. No. 11/107,772, which application is herebyincorporated in its entirety by reference). The indicator for such amodule may provide a visual cue corresponding to the characteristic of acigarette or smoker to which the color corresponds.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a colored smoke module system30. The colored smoke module system 30 includes a cigarette 32 and acolored smoke module 38. The cigarette 32 includes an inhalation portion34 and a combustion portion 36. To smoke the cigarette 32, a smokerlights the end of the combustion portion 36 and draws smoke through theinhalation portion 34. The combustion portion 36 may include tobaccopreformed as a rod with or without additives surrounded by a wrappingpaper, while the inhalation portion 34 may include a filter to removepotentially harmful materials from the smoke being inhaled by thesmoker.

The colored smoke module 38 includes a pin 40 and a tag 42. The pin 40is designed to fit in the combustion portion 36 by being insertedthrough the open end of the combustion portion 36 before lighting thecigarette 32. The pin 38 should be narrow enough to be able to beinserted into the combustion portion 36, and rigid enough to avoidbuckling during insertion into the cigarette 32. The tag 42 is mountedto the pin 40, and may be removed before the pin 40 is inserted into thecombustion portion 36. The tag 42 provides a visual indication of thecolor of smoke produced by the pin 40 or a visual indication of acharacteristic of the cigarette or smoker to which the colorcorresponds, as described above.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a colored smoke module system50. The colored smoke module system 50 includes a cigarette 52 and acolored smoke module 58. The cigarette 52 includes an inhalation portion54 and a combustion portion 56. To smoke the cigarette, a smoker lightsthe end of the combustion portion 56 and draws smoke through theinhalation portion 54. The combustion portion 56 may include tobaccopreformed as a rod with or without additives surrounded by a wrappingpaper, while the inhalation portion 54 may include a filter to removepotentially harmful materials from the smoke being inhaled by thesmoker.

The colored smoke module 58 includes a strip 60 and an indicator 62. Thestrip 60 is designed to be adhesively placed length-wise on thecombustion portion 56. The indicator 62, shown as a “y” in FIG. 3, is amark made on the strip 60. The indicator 62 provides a visual indicationof the color of smoke produced by the strip 60. Examples of alternatetypes of indicators include those described above in connection with theembodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 include a colored smoke modulehaving a body, such as a sleeve, a pin, or an adhesive strip. Themodules are user mountable—individual smokers may place and/or removethe modules from a cigarette. The body of the module is combustible, andcontains a material that gives off colored smoke when the colored smokemodule body is burned. For example, known materials that give offcolored smoke may be found in products such as smoke bombs or fireworks.These materials, or other materials to be used, can be adapted (but notnecessarily so) for use in cigarettes for such considerations as safety,burn rate, ease of production and/or compatibility with other cigarettematerials, and any effect they may have on taste. As smoke from themodule will be ingested by the smoker along with smoke from thecigarette itself, and also distributed to the atmosphere, the materialused will ideally have no or low toxicity. The entire body of the modulemay be constructed from a colored smoke producing material, or thecolored smoke producing material may be just a portion of the body addedto other materials. As an additional example, the colored smoke modulecould be mounted to the cigarette in the form of a liquid or paste thatis applied to the outside of the combustion portion.

After the cigarette to which it is mounted is lit, the colored smokemodule gives off colored smoke as it burns. Because tobacco and thewrapper of the cigarette are also burning, the color of all the smokeleaving the cigarette may be different from that produced solely by thecolored smoke module. Thus, to achieve a specified color of smoke, thecolored smoke module provides a more intense shade of that particularcolor when burning alone. Because smoke inhaled by a smoker of astandard cigarette passes through a filter, the smoke later exhaled bythe smoker may or may not be the same shade or color as the smokeexuding from the cigarette to which the colored smoke module is added.

As described more fully in incorporated co-pending application“Cigarette with Colored Smoke,” the color of the smoke can be used forcommunication or identification purposes. For example, the color of thesmoke can be used to identify a characteristic of the cigarette itself,or may also correspond to a quality of the person smoking the cigaretteand/or to an event (such as a sporting event). Colored smoke modules mayalso provide colored smoke during only a portion of the burning of acigarette, or may provide varying colors of smoke during the burning ofthe cigarette. This can be accomplished, for example, by using a coloredsmoke module body that is mounted to only a portion of the combustionportion of a cigarette, varying the amount and/or type of colored smokeproducing material within the colored smoke module body, and/or usingmultiple smoke module bodies in combination.

A colored smoke module that is user mountable allows individual users tocontrol and/or vary the color of smoke produced from cigarette tocigarette. This can provide a number of advantages. For example, asmoker could conserve colored smoke modules by mounting them tocigarettes only in certain situations. If the color of smoke were beingused to communicate something about the smoker in a social situation,then the smoker could use them only in such situations, and not whensmoking alone. The use of user mountable colored smoke modules alsoallows smokers to change the color of smoke in accordance with theirmood, or to change the meaning of any information being communicated bythe color of smoke, or just for variety. User mountable colored smokemodules also allow multiple smokers to share cigarettes from the samepack without having to use the same color of smoke. Further, usermountable colored smoke modules can provide a greater variety of colorchoices and options, as limited shelf space in stores for cigarettes maylimit the variety of cigarettes that vendors are able to provide.

In an embodiment of the present invention, colored smoke modules areincluded in a kit with multiple modules. The modules from a kit mayproduce the same color of smoke, or, in alternative embodiments,different modules in a kit may produce different colors of smoke. Theuse of indicators, such as those described above in connection with theembodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, can be especially beneficial toaid distinguishing modules from the same kit that produce differentcolors of smoke from each other. The use of different colors in the samekit allows a user to select the color of smoke regardless of type ofcigarette, and/or to vary the color of smoke based on the socialsituation. Additionally, such a kit of colored smoke modules couldinclude cigarettes for the modules to be mounted to as well.

Other embodiments of the present invention include colored smoke modulesthat may be used with smoking devices other than cigarettes, or whichmay be used with either cigarettes or other types of smoking devices.Examples of other types of smoking devices include cigars, cigarillos,nargillas (hookahs), and pipes. Examples of other types of module. Inaddition to those described above, include drops, tablets, and capsules.

One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a pipe having aninhalation portion including a mouthpiece and a combustion portionincluding a bowl into which tobacco is placed. A colored smoke producingcapsule is also placed in the bowl. The inhalation portion andcombustion portion are operatively joined by a tube interposed betweenthe mouthpiece and bowl. Thus, the operatively joined inhalation portionand combustion portion may be directly connected, or may instead haveadditional components located between them.

Additional embodiments of the present invention include a colored smokemodule that adds color to smoke that passes by the colored smoke module,instead of requiring the colored smoke module to be burned. In theseembodiments, the smoke exuding from the burning end of a smoking deviceis not colored, but smoke exhaled by the smoker is. In such embodiments,smoke being drawn through the inhalation portion of a smoking device hascolor added to it before it is inhaled by a smoker. For example, oneembodiment includes an external mouthpiece that is slid over theinhalation end of a pipe. As a smoker draws smoke from the pipe, thesmoke passes through the external mouthpiece. The external mouthpieceincludes a coloring agent that adds color to the smoke as it passesthrough the external mouthpiece. As another example, one embodimentincludes a cigarette holder that accepts the inhalation portion of acigarette. In other embodiments, such a colored smoke module would beinserted internally into a cigarette or other smoking device. Forinstance, another embodiment of the present invention includes a coloredsmoke module including a pin adapted to be inserted into the filter of acigarette. As smoke is drawn through the filter the smoke becomescolored. For these embodiments that do not require the colored smokemodule to be combusted, the colored smoke module may be re-used withmultiple smoking devices.

A further embodiment of the present invention heightens the aestheticeffect of smoke with the use of bubbles made from soap or a similarsubstance that can form a membrane around smoke. In a colored smokescenario, after a colored smoke module has been added to a smokingdevice, bubbles may be made containing colored smoke produced by thesmoking device. For example, a smoker may inhale smoke from a smokingdevice, and then exhale across a membrane of soap or similar substancespread across a hoop or ring. As the smoker exhales, the soap is formedinto a bubble around the smoke, until the bubble is completely formedand then breaks away from the hoop and into the atmosphere. The smokeswirls inside the bubble while the bubble remains formed, and isdischarged when the bubble ruptures. In alternative embodiments,multiple smokers may inflate the bubble and/or multiple colors of smokemay be used to inflate the bubble for a heightened decorative effect.

As an additional embodiment, the smoke may be introduced to a bubblemachine that forms the bubble instead of having individual smokersexhale to form the bubble. Smoke filled bubbles may be formed by usingsmoke exuding from the smoking device itself in combination with or inthe alternative to smoke exhaled by smokers.

Additionally, the smoke-filled bubbles may be kept intact andtransported and kept in a sealed and/or vented viewing area to reducesecond-hand smoke in an enclosed atmosphere such as a bar, or a house orapartment where a party is being held. As the bubbles rupture in theviewing area, the smoke can be vented outside to a remote area away fromthe enclosed atmosphere, or the smoke may be contained in a sealedviewing area to be released later in less enclosed quarters.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe particular embodiments disclosed, but that the present inventionwill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

1. A colored smoke module mountable to a combustion portion of a smokingdevice, said colored smoke module comprising a colored smoke module bodyadapted for placement to and removal from said combustion portion ofsaid smoking device by a user of said smoking device, said colored smokemodule producing colored smoke when burned when said smoking device isused to smoke a combustible product.
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. Thecolored smoke module of claim 1, wherein said colored smoke module bodycomprises a combustible strip adapted to be adhesively mounted to saidcombustion portion of said smoking device and to be positioned on saidcombustion portion when said smoking device is used to smoke acombustible product.
 5. The colored smoke module of claim 1, whereinsaid colored smoke module body is configured to be attachable to andremovable from a wrapping paper of said combustion portion of saidsmoking device.
 6. The colored smoke module of claim 1 comprising avisual indicator, said visual indicator providing a visual cue providinginformation about said colored smoke module body
 7. The colored smokemodule of claim 6 wherein said visual indicator comprises a tag mountedto said colored smoke module body.
 8. The colored smoke module of claim6 wherein said visual indicator comprises a mark made on said coloredsmoke module body.
 9. The colored smoke module of claim 1 wherein saidcolored smoke module is adapted to be mountable to and removable from apre-formed cigarette.
 10. A smoking device comprising: an inhalationportion; a combustion portion operatively joined to said inhalationportion, said combustion portion comprising a wrapping paper surroundinga tobacco rod; and a colored smoke module comprising a colored smokemodule body adapted for placement to and removal from said combustionportion of said smoking device by a user of said smoking device, saidcolored smoke module producing colored smoke when burned when saidsmoking device is used to smoke a combustible product.
 11. The smokingdevice of claim 10, wherein said colored smoke module body comprises acombustible strip adapted to be adhesively mounted to said wrappingpaper of said combustion portion of said smoking device.
 12. The smokingdevice of claim 10, wherein said colored smoke module is configured tobe attachable to and removable from said wrapping paper of saidcombustion portion of said smoking device.
 13. The smoking device ofclaim 10 wherein said colored smoke module further comprises a visualindicator, said visual indicator providing a visual cue providinginformation about said colored smoke module body.
 14. The smoking deviceof claim 13 wherein said visual indicator comprises a tag mounted tosaid colored smoke module body.
 15. The smoking device of claim 13wherein said visual indicator comprises a mark made on said coloredsmoke module body.
 16. A colored smoke module system comprising aplurality of colored smoke modules mountable to a combustion portion ofa cigarette, said colored smoke modules comprising colored smoke modulebodies adapted for placement to and removal from a combustion portion ofa cigarette by a user of a cigarette, each said colored smoke moduleproducing colored smoke when burned when a cigarette to which saidcolored smoke module is mounted to is used to smoke a combustibleproduct.
 17. The colored smoke module system of claim 16 wherein saidcolored smoke module bodies comprise combustible strips adapted to beadhesively mounted to a combustion portion of a cigarette and to bepositioned on a combustion portion when a cigarette is used to smoke acombustible product.
 18. The colored smoke module system of claim 16,wherein said colored smoke modules are configured to be attachable toand removable from a wrapping paper of a combustion portion of acigarette.
 19. The colored smoke module system of claim 16 wherein saidcolored smoke modules comprise a first colored smoke module thatproduces a first color of smoke when burned, and a second colored smokemodule that produces a second color of smoke when burned.
 20. Thecolored smoke module system of claim 16 further comprising a pluralityof cigarettes, wherein said plurality of colored smoke modules areadapted for placement to and removal from said plurality of cigarettes.